Task 1. Imagine that you are preparing a project with your friend. You have found some interesting material for the presentation and you want to read this text to your friend. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, then be ready to read it out aloud. You will not have more than 1.5 minutes to read it.

Parks play a crucial role in enhancing urban life, providing spaces for sports and recreation, relaxation, and connection with nature. They also serve environmental purposes, helping to improve air quality and to support conservation, hosting a variety of wildlife and plant species that contribute to the city’s ecological diversity. London’s history with parks stretches back centuries, with many of its green spaces originally serving as royal hunting grounds before being opened to the public. Today, some of the biggest London parks rank among the most famous green spaces in the world, featuring open-air theatres, picturesque canals and panoramic views. The largest park in London is Richmond Park. It was established in 1625 by King Charles I who used the parklands to hunt deer after he brought his court to Richmond Palace to escape the outbreak of plague. Today, Richmond Park is home to over 600 free-roaming deer, and the wall enclosing the park is eight miles long, and in places almost three metres high.

Imagine that you are preparing a project with your friend. You have found some interesting material for the presentation and you want to read this text to your friend. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, then be ready to read it out aloud. You will not have more than 1.5 minutes to read it.

The Eiffel Tower is one of the world’s most famous sights. The 324-metre- tall iron tower attracts millions of tourists to Paris every year. It has been an iconic part of Paris’ skyline for 133 years. However, it is showing its age. Engineers recently conducted a survey of the monument. They found that its metal is full of rust. Engineers say there are many cracks in the iron. The tower needs many repairs. A 2016 report on the tower stated there were 698 faults on the tower. These were serious enough to put the tower’s long-term future in doubt. Construction of the Eiffel Tower started in January 1887. It opened to the public on the 31st of March, 1889. It was built to celebrate the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris. Builders needed 10,100 tons of iron to make the tower. It was made from 18,000 sections and 2.5 million rivets. The tower is currently being repainted on the eve of the 2024 Olympics.

Imagine that you are preparing a project with your friend. You have found some interesting material for the presentation and you want to read this text to your friend. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, then be ready to read it out aloud. You will not have more than 1.5 minutes to read it.

Cooking combines art and science, with different methods affecting the nutritional value of meals. Steaming vegetables retains more vitamins than boiling, as water-soluble nutrients like Vitamin C often dissolve into the cooking water. Grilling meat enhances flavor but can produce harmful compounds if overdone, making moderation crucial.

Frying is popular for its taste but adds calories due to oil absorption. Switching to roasting or baking reduces this while preserving flavor. Chopping or grating ingredients like carrots or garlic activates enzymes, boosting their health benefits.

Food storage is also essential for nutrition. Fresh produce contains vital nutrients but loses some over time. Freezing immediately after harvest locks in vitamins and minerals.

Incorporating whole grains and fresh produce into meals boosts nutrition and reduces reliance on processed foods. Small changes, like using wholegrain bread or adding vegetables to dishes, can greatly improve your diet. Food is more than fuel—it’s the foundation of health.

Imagine that you are preparing a project with your friend. You have found some interesting material for the presentation and you want to read this text to your friend. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, then be ready to read it out aloud. You will not have more than 1.5 minutes to read it.

People who have plenty of positive thoughts and emotions in their everyday lives tend to be happier, healthier, and get along better with others. We all know that positive thoughts and emotions help you feel better, but they also do some other pretty cool things. They help you improve your memory and attention, take in more information and hold several ideas in your mind at once, understand how different thoughts relate to each other, handle tough situations more easily.

Building habits that encourage you to think and feel more positive can help you be more satisfied and have fewer unwanted feelings. This is especially important if you’re already dealing with a lot of negative emotions like fear, sadness, anger, frustration, or stress. Everyone has negative thoughts and feelings sometimes, but try to look on the bright side as much as you can.

Imagine that you are preparing a project with your friend. You have found some interesting material for the presentation and you want to read this text to your friend. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, then be ready to read it out aloud. You will not have more than 1.5 minutes to read it.

March 8 is International Women’s Day, and even though it is international the day has a special history in Russia where it is marked with a day off work. Curiously enough, the March 8 celebration is connected with the revolutionary movement in Russia. It was first celebrated in St Petersburg in 1913 as a Western trend. But in 1921 it was decided to celebrate 8 March in commemoration of the female textile workers who took part in demonstrations on 8 March 1917, at the time of the Russian Revolution. In 1966, the March 8 became an official public holiday in the USSR. Gradually the political nature of the celebration was forgotten and now it is a celebration of all women. On this day in Russia you will see that practically every woman is carrying a bunch of flowers given to her by a male colleague, boss or family member.

Imagine that you are preparing a project with your friend. You have found some interesting material for the presentation and you want to read this text to your friend. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, then be ready to read it out aloud. You will not have more than 1.5 minutes to read it.

Communication shapes how we exchange information. The internet has revolutionized it, allowing people to send emails, make video calls, and share data instantly. Today, over 4.9 billion people use the internet, making digital communication essential.

Language plays a key role — different accents can affect pronunciation, leading to misunderstandings. Interpreters and translators help bridge language gaps, while media, including TV and the radio, keeps people informed. Technology has improved communication, but it also brings challenges. Mobile phones let us talk anytime, yet weak signals or interruptions can be frustrating. Online messages lack emotional depth—a single click can send a text, but tone and intention may be unclear.

Social media has transformed both formal and informal interactions. A viral image can reach millions, and over 80% of businesses use social platforms to improve job prospects. However, online privacy remains a concern. Effective communication — whether through speech, writing, or broadcasts—is key to success. Keeping messages clear and concise helps avoid misunderstandings and build strong connections.

Imagine that you are preparing a project with your friend. You have found some interesting material for the presentation and you want to read this text to your friend. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, then be ready to read it out aloud. You will not have more than 1.5 minutes to read it.

Scientists say they have discovered what could be the smallest reptile in the world. It is a kind of chameleon and is the size of a sunflower seed. Chameleons are usually around 35–40 cm long. Scientists found two of the tiny lizards — a male and a female — in the mountains in northern Madagascar. They are just 22 mm long from nose to tail. The length of the male’s body is 13.5 mm. At first, the scientists thought the tiny reptiles were juveniles, but later realised they were fully-grown adults. The scientists called the miniature creatures nano-chameleons. The scientists tried to find more of the nano-chameleons, but “despite great effort” could not find any others. Madagascar is home to two- thirds of the world’s chameleon species. Scientists believe they may have originated there. However, the chameleon’s survival is threatened by deforestation on the island. One of the scientists said the nano- chameleons are lucky to survive.

Imagine that you are preparing a project with your friend. You have found some interesting material for the presentation and you want to read this text to your friend. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, then be ready to read it out aloud. You will not have more than 1.5 minutes to read it.

Studies show that even a short vacation can significantly reduce stress levels and improve mental health. Last weekend, my friends and I set off at 6 AM for a two-day mountain retreat, aiming to test this theory. After a 250-kilometer drive, we checked in at a small eco-hotel designed to blend with nature. Research suggests that spending time in green spaces lowers cortisol levels, and indeed, after settling in, we already felt more relaxed.

We spent the afternoon looking around a historic village dating back to the 15th century. According to local guides, over 70% of tourists come here to escape urban life. The next morning, a professional guide picked us up at sunrise and set up a hiking route reaching 1,800 meters in altitude. After the hike, we headed for a lakeside café to refuel.

By the time we checked out, we realized how effective even a 48-hour getaway can be. Scientific data supports this—just two days in nature can boost creativity by 50% and improve mood for up to a week. Perhaps we should get away more often!

Imagine that you are preparing a project with your friend. You have found some interesting material for the presentation and you want to read this text to your friend. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, then be ready to read it out aloud. You will not have more than 1.5 minutes to read it.

The ear is made up of three parts that work together to process sounds: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. Part of the inner ear contains tiny hair cells. These hair cells help send sound messages to the brain. Loud noise can damage them. Unlike damage to other parts of your body, inner ear damage never heals. Over time, as more and more hair cells get affected, your hearing will get worse and worse. If you use earphones and want to avoid hearing loss, doctors recommend the 60 %/60-minute rule: firstly, listen to music or play a movie or video game at no more than 60 % of the maximum volume, secondly, limit the amount of time you spend with earbuds in your ears to 60 minutes. Here’s another way to fi nd out if your earbuds are at a safe volume: ask people sitting near you if they can hear your music. If they can, it’s a sign that your hearing is being damaged. Turn the volume down until other people can’t hear it.

Imagine that you are preparing a project with your friend. You have found some interesting material for the presentation and you want to read this text to your friend. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, then be ready to read it out aloud. You will not have more than 1.5 minutes to read it.

Protecting the environment is essential for our planet's health and our future. We rely on nature for clean air, fresh water, and healthy food. However, human activities like pollution, deforestation, and waste production threaten these vital resources. To make a difference, we can start by reducing waste, recycling, and conserving energy at home. Simple actions, such as using reusable bags, turning off lights, and planting trees, create a positive impact.

Educating ourselves and others about environmental issues helps raise awareness and encourages collective action. Every small step counts when it comes to protecting our planet. By working together, we can create a cleaner, healthier environment for ourselves and future generations. Let’s cherish and protect the world we live in, ensuring its beauty and resources remain for all living beings. Together, we can make a lasting difference.

Task 1. Imagine that you are preparing a project with your friend. You have found some interesting material for the presentation and you want to read this text to your friend. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, then be ready to read it out aloud. You will not have more than 1.5 minutes to read it.

The Curonian Spit is a unique and vulnerable, sandy and wooded cultural landscape on a coastal spit which features small Curonian lagoon settlements. The Spit was formed by the sea, wind and human activity and continues to be shaped by them. Rich with an abundance of unique natural and cultural features, it has retained its social and cultural importance. Local communities adapted to the changes in the natural environment in order to survive. This interaction between humans and nature shaped the Curonian Spit cultural landscape. The most valuable elements and qualities of the Curonian Spit cultural landscape are its unique size and general spatial structure, demonstrating the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. Cultural elements including the remains of postal tracks, trade villages from the 10th and 11th centuries, traditional fi shermen villages and other archaeological heritage covered by sand. The Curonian Spit is an outstanding example of a landscape of sand dunes that is under constant threat from natural forces.